Acquiring a passport is not easy as it takes many processes and documents to get one. Once your passport is damaged, you will have to go through the same process again. By properly taking care of your passport, you can prevent damaging it.
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What is considered a damaged US passport?
A passport that goes beyond wear and tear is considered damage. Here are specific conditions of a damaged passport.
- The book cover or the page displaying your data and photo is eroded and has unofficial markings.
- It is water-damaged due to a flood.
- It has missing or torn-out visa pages.
- It has a hole punch.
- It has burnt pages.
Is a damaged passport still valid?
No, a damaged passport is no longer valid and cannot be used for international travels or any transactions. You need to submit an application for its renewal or replacement.
What happens if my passport is damaged?
If your passport is damaged, you must apply in person to replace it at a passport acceptance facility.
Bring the following requirements:
- Damaged U.S. passport. When you apply for a new passport by renewal or replacement, your old passport must be issued to the passport acceptance facility so they can cancel it.
- Signed Statement. Your signed statement must include your explanation about the damage.
- Form DS-11. Accomplish Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S. Passport. It is a form used to apply for a new U.S. passport.
- Citizenship Evidence. Include an original and a photocopy of your citizenship evidence, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, and other documents that prove your U.S. citizenship.
- Photo Identification. Submit an original and a photocopy of your government-issued identification. You may use your driver’s license.
- Passport Photo. A valid passport photo is a must to avoid delays or rejection of your passport application. Keep it clear and colored with a plain white or off-white background.
- Passport fees. Prepare $35 for the acceptance fee and $110 for the passport book application fee. If you want to replace your passport card, you need to pay $30 plus the $35-acceptance fee.
How do I fix a damaged passport?
You cannot fix a damaged passport. Go to your local passport acceptance facility and submit a new passport application to replace it.
How do I know if my passport is damaged?
You will know your passport is damaged if it has materially changed in physical appearance or composition, has a defective or non-functioning chip, obliterations, or has noticeable wear or tear that renders it unfit for use as a travel document.
What happens if you accidentally wash your passport?
A water-damaged passport is considered damaged and must be replaced. Go to your nearest passport acceptance facility and submit an application using the following requirements:
- Damaged U.S. passport;
- A certified statement explaining the damage;
- Form DS-11;
- Original and photocopy of your citizenship evidence;
- Original and photocopy of your photo identification; and
- Passport fees.
Can I still use my passport if it gets wet?
No. The U.S. State Department states that water-damaged passports are no longer valid for use. Even if you dried it out, you may still encounter problems entering immigration control when you travel due to damaged, defective, or blurry chips or biometrics.
What is considered a water-damaged passport?
Any passport that got wet by any liquids, including water, wine, liquors, and other beverages, is considered water-damaged, especially if the chip and biometrics were affected.
How do you save a wet passport?
You can only save a passport that is not soaking wet. If this happens to you, here are some tips.
Use paper towels to dry the pages of your passport. Then, hang it to dry with pages separated on a string. You may also put it in a container with a silica gel to improve the result. If silica gel seems expensive, you may put uncooked rice in a container with your wet passport.
However, these tips do not guarantee a hundred percent effectiveness. You may still consider calling the passport acceptance facility to know if your passport is still usable. If not, submit an application to replace your passport.
Can I still use my passport if a page was torn?
No, you cannot use your passport if it has missing or torn-out pages. It is considered damaged. However, you can use it to get a replacement. Bring your damaged passport and other documents to the passport acceptance facility.
Can I still use my passport if a page was folded?
Yes, you can still use your passport even if there is a folded page as long as the plastic laminate is not detached.
Can magnets damage a passport?
No, as long as you do not scrape a physical magnet on your passport chip. Magnetism does not damage a passport.
How do I know if my passport chip is damaged?
You will know if your passport chip is damaged if it is not functioning.
Before your travel, you must check if there are tears or holes around the passport chip. It may help you solve unwanted problems during your travel and plan ahead of time.
Your passport chip may also be damaged if it was soaked in water or other liquids.
Can I still use my passport if it got crumpled?
It depends on the severity. If your passport was slightly crumpled and the pages, especially the cover page, are still readable and undamaged, you can still use it for travel or other transactions. Otherwise, you need to report to the passport acceptance facility and apply for a new one.
If my passport got crumpled, can I press an iron on the page to fix it?
No, do not press an iron onto your passport. It may get burned and will only worsen the problem.
How much does it cost to replace a damaged U.S. passport?
Replacing a damaged U.S. passport costs the same as applying for a new one.
Here are the lists of expenses to replace your damaged passport:
- Passport Card = $30
- Passport Book = $110
- Passport Card and Book = $140
You will pay an additional $35-acceptance fee for every application. The standard service may take up to 18 weeks to process your application. If you want a shorter processing time, you can avail expedite service for $60. It will take up to 12 weeks from the day you applied.
How do I apply for a damaged passport replacement?
Applying for a damaged passport replacement requires the same process as when you applied for the first time. The only difference is, you need to furnish your damaged U.S. passport and a signed statement explaining the damage. You also need to apply in person and submit your application.
If you are under age 16 and applying for a damaged passport replacement, apply in person with both parents.
How long does it take to get a damaged passport replaced?
It will take up to 18 weeks if you get the routine service to process your application. If you paid for expedited service, you will get your new passport after 12 weeks.
What to do If my passport is damaged abroad?
If your passport was damaged abroad, go to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to ask for assistance. Prepare your accomplished Form DS-11, citizenship evidence, photo identification, passport photo, passport fees, and travel itinerary. The consular officer may issue you a limited validity emergency passport so you can board a flight back to the U.S.
When you get back to the U.S., return the limited validity emergency passport to the passport acceptance facility and apply for a new passport.
What happens if I try to travel with a damaged passport?
Traveling with a damaged passport may put you in an uncomfortable situation. You may be detained in a foreign country until you get a temporary U.S. passport. You may also have problems passing through immigration control.
What happens if my passport gets damaged while I’m on the plane?
If your passport got damaged during your flight, wait for the plane to arrive at your destination. Then, upon arriving, go to the passport control and ask for assistance. Explain your situation. It may help to take a photo of your passport before boarding a plane. Though it is not usable for all transactions, you may use it as evidence that you boarded legally.
How do I keep my passport from being damaged?
The best thing to do to keep your passport undamaged is to be responsible for your belongings. Put your passport in a safe and dry place always. A ziplock or a waterproof cover or bag may help secure your passport from getting wet. Do not put your passport in your pocket because it might crumple or bend its pages. It might also get stolen or lost.